The search is now on to find and honour Hambleton’s community champions.

Friends, family and work colleagues are being asked to put forward individuals or groups who they think deserve recognition for making a difference in their community.

The district council awards now in their fourth year recognise and celebrate the exceptional contribution to the district made by countless residents, both young and old.

Councillor Mrs Bridget Fortune, portfolio holder for customer and leisure services said: “We want to reward the positive, and often unnoticed, voluntary work undertaken by our residents who all work hard to ensure their communities are a nice place to live.

“These individuals and groups work tirelessly for no pay, to provide excellent services, projects and experiences for their communities.

“The awards will allow us to give them the praise they so richly deserve.

“Please don’t be afraid to nominate a project, organisation or individual who you think is worthy of recognition, even if they were nominated last year. We have also added two new awards for this year – Volunteer of the Year and Community Event of the Year.”

Nominations are open in ten categories:

l Service to Young People Award.

l Service to Older People Award.

l Service to Disability Award.

l Parish Council of the Year.

l The Peter Davison Community Champion of the Year: for an individual who is a shining light in a community.

l Community Group of the Year.

l Young Volunteer of the Year.

l Community Hall of the Year.

l Community Event of the Year.

l Volunteer of the Year.

Any individual, group or organisation (public, private or voluntary sector) can make a nomination.

Forms are available online at www.hambleton.gov.uk/communityawards2017 or from any Hambleton District Council leisure centre or from the council offices in Northallerton, Easingwold or Stokesley.